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Topic Review (Newest First)

04-11-2011 10:33 AM

ccriders

If you have to remove the end cap, start with PB Blaster (it won't work) then go to heat, use a propane torch (like you get at the harware stores) and you can probably get the screws out. The end cap may still be well fixed to the boom. Again heat will help.
John
ps. And I like those "Zen skills".

04-11-2011 09:55 AM

JimsCAL

I suspect the end caps are held on by stainless screw into aluminum. Try something like PB Blaster, but I think they will have to be drilled out. Using an electricians fish tape as paulk suggests is a good idea.

04-10-2011 10:45 PM

paulk

Before drilling the machine screws that hold on the caps, (WD40 may work, but you will probably not be patient enough to wait that long) see if you can find a steel electrician's snake, which they use to fish wires inside walls. Twist the end around so that it will (hopefully) snag the loose end but still fit through whatever opening you have to work with. Poke it in and use your Zen skills to figure out where the line is. Taking the boom off the mast and turning it so gravity pulls the outhaul to the bottom, or so that it's held up where you can get it by the reefing lines may help. You might also be able to snag it from the other end, pull it out, and then re-snake it. The wire is much better than trying to train a gerbil. When we run messenger lines inside a spar, I try to remember to sew things together, and then tape over it so it slips smoothly over the sheaves. The outhaul may lead through a tackle inside the boom. If the line has come off the blocks inside, you WILL have to remove the endcap(s) in order to re-thread it. We know this because...

04-10-2011 10:23 PM

ambrielt33

Thanks for the info. I wonder if there is a lubricant I could spray where the cap joins the mast. Both are aluminum. The cap is cast. Would wd40 be ok? A little concerned of what should be used if anything.

04-10-2011 10:17 PM

Faster

This is going to be tough to do without removing at least one end cap. The outboard end would allow you to see (maybe reach) the loose end, but the tackle itself is likely anchored to the gooseneck end cap, or to the boom itself towards the mast end.

How difficult this is going to be depends on how far you pulled it though before you lost the messenger.....

04-10-2011 09:51 PM

ambrielt33

seeking advice with boom, backhaul line need to be retrived.

Any suggestions for retrieving my backhaul line from inside my boon? On my 1980 Tartan 33, while working to remove the backhaul line which runs inside the boom I temporarily, at least I hope temporarily, have lost it inside the boom. Purpose of removing was to clean it over the winter. My first season with sailboat and I now think I don't need to do that very often if at all. I attempted to remove it by duct taping a small cord to it to so I could refish this spring but in the small cord pulled from the line. The backhaul exits the aft end of the boom. At that point it is a cable. The cable is attached some way to a cord inside the boom as that is what exits the starboard side of the boom toward the mast. that is what I lost. Seems part of the challenge is that also inside the boom run the 2 lines for the jiffy reeling system. The backhaul line seemed to tangle with the other lines.o I would like to do this without removing the caps to the boom if possible. I tried that and they seem difficult to remove.